“No, dear, I must go back to my work, and you are not fit for that. Neither must you go again to your own room, because for you it is haunted, and the worst place you could be in. You want change, and I’ll give you one. It will seem queer at first, but it is a wholesome place, and just what you need.”
“I’ll do any thing you tell me. I’m past thinking for myself to-night, and only want to be taken care of till I find strength and courage enough to stand alone,” said Christie, rising slowly and looking about her with an aspect as helpless and hopeless as if the cloud of mist was a wall of iron.
Rachel put on her bonnet for her and wrapped her shawl about her, saying, in a tender voice, that warmed the other’s heart:
“Close by lives a dear, good woman who often befriends such as you and I. She will take you in without a question, and love to do it, for she is the most hospitable soul I know. Just tell her you want work, that I sent you, and there will be no trouble. Then, when you know her a little, confide in her, and you will never come to such a pass as this again. Keep up your heart, dear; I’ll not leave you till you are safe.”
So cheerily she spoke, so confident she looked, that the lost expression passed from Christie’s face, and hand in hand they went away together,—two types of the sad sisterhood standing on either shore of the dark river that is spanned by a Bridge of Sighs.
Rachel led her friend toward the city, and, coming to the mechanics’ quarter, stopped before the door of a small, old house.
“Just knock, say ‘Rachel sent me,’ and you’ll find yourself at home.”
“Stay with me, or let me go with you. I can’t lose you again, for I need you very much,” pleaded Christie, clinging to her friend.
“Not so much as that poor girl dying all alone. She’s waiting for me, and I must go. But I’ll write soon; and remember, Christie, I shall feel as if I had only paid a very little of my debt if you go back to the sad old life, and lose your faith and hope again. God bless and keep you, and when we meet next time let me find a happier face than this.”
Rachel kissed it with her heart on her lips, smiled her brave sweet smile, and vanished in the mist.